Middlebury Elementary School Teacher Named Region 15 Teacher of the Year

Regina Botsford, Superintendent of Region 15 schools, has announced Stacie Broden, Interventionist at Middlebury Elementary School, as Region 15’s 2016-17 Teacher of the Year, officials said in a news release.

Broden has worked in Region 15 for 19 years, working as a first and second grade teacher at Pomperaug Elementary School for 15 years, and serving as an Interventionist at Middlebury Elementary School since 2012. As Interventionist she works closely with the teaching staff to design and execute instructional programs that will ensure student success in literacy and math. She also oversees remedial programs.

The Selection Committee recognized Broden’s focus on what is in the best interest of students and tireless work to ensure that her students are equipped socially, emotionally, and academically.

Broden is at the leading edge of all that is important in teaching and learning, creating her own learning opportunities and guiding others to do so as well. Her caring, flexible, insightful traits have positively affected not only staff members, but students and parents as well.

Students comment, "Miss Broden lets me read all kinds of books and keep them till I'm done. She always believes in me!"

Broden has shared her expertise and her enthusiasm within Region 15 and at numerous conferences. She is a leader on district committees, in school and district presentations and events, in professional organizations, and is an executive board member of the Association of Mathematics Teachers of Connecticut.

In 2008, Broden was Connecticut's nominee for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, and her accomplishments and expertise were recognized in a ceremony at the White House. For the past 15 years, Stacie has been unselfishly volunteering for Special Olympics in Waterbury, coaching Special Olympians in track, skiing and volleyball, and also coaching the Connecticut Track and Field Team for the 2010 Special Olympics National Games.

Broden is described as an inspiring educator, mentor, colleague and co-teacher, results-oriented interventionist, and passionate Special Olympics volunteer. “Her name is synonymous with model teacher. Her impact on children, adults, and families has been a life-changer for many. She so ably and so deservedly represents all of us at Region 15,” said Botsford.